A Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) validates an exporter’s membership in an agency/organization that is authorised by the Indian Government. Certificates are issued by Export Promotion Councils or commodity boards in India for a period of five years. In order to obtain an FIEO RCMC, exporters must declare their mainstream business. For that business line, the export promotion council or commodity board would be contacted.
Registration-cum-Membership Certificate
In order to become a member of EPC, an exporter must use an application specified in an ANF 2C register. Applicants receive a Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate (RCMC) from EPC in the format specified in Appendix 2R. To register as a manufacturer exporter, applicants must provide evidence of the same. The application allows prospective/potential exporters to become associate members of an EPC.
Applicability
This certificate can be applied for by individuals for the following purposes.
- Import/export authorization for restricted items
- To apply for benefits or concessions under Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) such as duty drawbacks, duty credit schemes, etc.
Spices Board’s Certificate of Registration as an Exporter of Spices (CRES) will be considered as RCMC and no other RCMC will be applied to any other Export Promotional Councils (EPC).
Application Procedure
Exporters can register under two categories, namely, Merchant exporters and Manufacturing exporters, with the concerned Export Promotional Council (EPC). In order to select the manufacturing exporter, a substantiating proof must be provided.
Documents Required
A complete application form must be submitted with the following documents.
- An application form for Registration-cum-Membership-Certificate that has been duly filled out and signed.
- Copy of the self-certified IEC Number issued by the relevant regional licensing authority.
- Certified copy of Permanent Account Number (PAN) issued by the competent authority.
- The membership fee of the ‘Services Export Promotion Council’ should be paid in demand drafts at New Delhi or by checks payable at branches.
- Self-certified copy of the company’s Memorandum of Agreement (for corporate/institution/private limited/limited company).
- Self-certified copy of Partnership Deed (for Partnership companies and Individual Ordinary).
- Self-certified copy of trust deed (For Trusts/Institutions/Corporates).
- The self-certified copy of the certificate issued by the Registrar of Companies regarding the change of the registered office of the company.
- A Chartered Accountant must certify the last 3 years of Services Export Data (Foreign Exchange Earnings).
- Copies of Board Resolutions or Powers of Attorney issued in favour of signing authority, if the name of the signing authority is not mentioned in IEC/MOA/Partnership Deed/Trust Deeds.
- A copy of the GST registration certificate that has been self-certified.
Guidelines for Registration
- An exporter must declare their mainstream business when applying for RCMC. A RCMC must also be obtained from the Export Promotion Council, depending on the business. An individual who runs a coconut business falls under the Coconut Development Board.
- A person who does not belong to any of the above-mentioned export promotion councils can directly apply for the certificate at the FIEO (Federation of Indian Exporters Organization).
- If an exporter is not registered with any EPC or if their business stream is yet to be confirmed, then they may apply to FIEO for RCMC.
- Multi-product exporters with their head office/registered office in north-eastern states can obtain RCMC from Shellac and Forest Product Export Promotional Council, unless they export products controlled by APEDA, Spices Board and Tea Board.
- Exporters of handicrafts and handloom products from Jammu and Kashmir are authorized to issue Registration Cum Membership Certificates.
Export Promotion Council Registration for RCMC
A total of 26 Export Promotion Councils and 9 commodities boards operate in India. India’s Commodities Board and Export Promotion Councils (EPC) are responsible for issuing RCMCs. The Central Government has authorized these institutions to issue RCMCs to exporters. A commodity board and EPC in India categorize products based on their type. If the exporter’s product line does not fall within a category, then he must apply to FIEO for RCMC.
Registering Authorities
A registering authority is a body notified by DGFT to register importers/exporters as its members by issuing RCMCs. Appendix-2T contains the list of notified Registering Authorities.
Registration criteria for EPCs
EPCs must meet the following criteria to function as Registering Authorities in order to be completely democratic and participatory.
- e-Voting
- Tenure of Elected Heads
- Central Government Directions
Change in Business Constitution of RCMC Holder
- If an exporter’s ownership, constitution, name, or address changes, the RCMC holder must notify the registering authority within one month of the change. The registrar accepts delays based on merit.
- The exporter submits a quarterly report to the registering authority detailing exports of different commodities. FIEO also requires status holders to send quarterly returns in the format specified by the agency.
De-Registration
An RCMC holder is deregistered for a specified period of time if they violate the conditions of registration. The registering authority will give the RCMC holder an adequate and reasonable opportunity to contest the proposed deregistration before de-registration occurs. In the event of a de-registration, the concerned EPC informs all RAs.
Appeal Against De-Registration
The individual aggrieved by a decision of the registering authority concerning any matter related to the issue of RCMC may appeal to the DGFT or an officer will be appointed within 45 days against the decision, and the final decision will be made by the appellate authority.
DGFT directives
DGFT directs registering authorities to register or de-register exporters in accordance with the FTP Rules and Orders and in accordance with the provisions of the FT (D&R) Act.
Violation Penalty
If an exporter violates the registration terms and conditions, they are de-registered for a specified period.
Validity of RCMC
The RCMC is valid for five years beginning on 1st April of the licensing year when it is issued and ends on 31st March.
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